Wondering what foods can you eat 3 days before a colonoscopy? Start your colonoscopy prep on the right foot with this gentle low fiber food guide.
Preparing for a colonoscopy involves more than just scheduling the procedure; it also involves careful dietary considerations in the days leading up. This preparation aims to ensure that the colon is thoroughly cleansed for a successful and accurate examination. One key aspect of this preparation is adhering to a low-fiber diet, which helps reduce the amount of fecal matter in the colon.
Many specialists recommend a low-fiber diet in the 3 days prior to your appointment, so many people undergoing a colonoscopy for the first time, often wonder “What foods can you eat 3 days before a colonoscopy?”.
This practical guide explores what foods are permissible and not allowable three days before a colonoscopy, with suggested foods and meals for starting your pre-colonoscopy diet.
This article was originally published in April 2024, and updated September 2025 to improve reader usefulness and readability.
What Foods Can You Eat 3 Days Before A Colonoscopy? Overview
To increase the chances of a comfortable, smooth and accurate procedure, adequate bowel preparation must be done in advance. Bowel preparation involves going on a special diet, using a medication sometimes referred to as a “colonoscopy prep” and in some cases, an enema. The ‘special diet’ patients have to start in preparation for a colonoscopy is called a Low Fiber Diet as we discuss extensively in this article. The low fiber diet generally commences around 3 days before, however, some people prefer to start consuming low fiber foods up to 5 days prior to their colonoscopy.
What is fiber and why does it matter? Fiber is a food component found in fruits and vegetables. Fiber (also known as residue) is an undigestible component of food that travels into the colon unchanged and plays a role in forming easily excretable stool. The objective of the low-fiber diet is to reduce the volume of fiber eaten in the days before the procedure. Less fiber means less residue in the colon, allowing the colonoscope (a long, slender camera used by the doctor to examine the colon during a colonoscopy) to move freely and unobstructed. Low residue also increases the visibility of the colon.
Most professionals will have you begin your low-fiber intake in the days leading up to your appointment. When it comes to the question of what foods can you eat 3 days before a colonoscopy, basically, it involves eating foods with low fiber or removing the fiber from foods before eating them.
Permissible Foods on A Low-Fiber Diet
Examples of foods you can enjoy on a low-fiber diet include:
- Carbohydrates (including Legumes and Cereals): White rice, white bread, noodles, pasta, pancakes, French toast, waffles, pretzels, doughnuts, etc.
- Protein: Egg, Fish, Tofu, ground meat, soft and tender, well-cooked meat, processed and smooth peanut butter, etc.
- Fruits: Apple juice, well-strained lemonade, well-strained white grape juice, seedless watermelons, etc.
- Vegetables: Steamed vegetables without skins, seeds, or stems.
- Water: Lots of water
Foods to Avoid on A Low-Fiber Diet
Some high-fiber foods to avoid include:
- Carbohydrates: Brown rice, wheat, whole grain bread, corn, and whole sugar cane
- Protein: Nuts, beans, undercooked meat.
- Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and veggies with their seeds, stems, and skins intact.
- Milk and Dairy Products: Milk, Cheese, Yoghurt, Ice-cream
With this in mind, creating a meal plan for the days before a colonoscopy should be easy.
3 Days Before A Colonoscopy – Meal Plan
What Foods Can You Eat 3 Days Before A Colonoscopy? Meal Ideas
The possibilities and food combinations are numerous. With this template and our recipes, you can create any meal plan of your choice for your first day of the pre-colonoscopy diet. Other low fiber diet meal suggestions and example foods can be found in our Low Fiber Diet article. A sample of a full day’s meal three days before a colonoscopy could look like this:
Breakfast Examples
- White bread toast, omelet and sausages with a warm cup of black coffee
- White bread with fried or hard-boiled egg with tea
- Pancakes or waffles with maple syrup and a glass of water
- Scrambled eggs and well-done chicken with a cup of black coffee.
Lunch Examples
- White rice, eggs with sauce and well-strained white grape drink
- Well-cooked potatoes with some roasted meat and a glass of apple juice
- Fries, ketchup, and chicken with a cold glass of lemonade
Dinner Examples
- Spaghetti and meatballs with clear soda or water
- Noodles and salmon with water
- White rice, barbecued fish, sauce and a glass of apple juice
Snacks & Dessert Examples
- Doughnuts
- Cakes
- Cinnamon rolls
- Lime, cucumber, and mint frozen mojito
- Hydrating coconut water Jell-o
- Watermelon sorbet
- Transparent hard candy – read about suitable hard candy here
- Butterscotch Jell-o bites
Conclusion
Following a low-fiber diet three days before a colonoscopy is essential for ensuring a successful and accurate procedure. By feeding on low-fiber, easily digestible foods, you can adequately prepare your colon for the procedure while maintaining adequate nutrition. It is vital that you consult with your healthcare provider for personalized dietary recommendations based on your specific health needs and medical history. With careful planning and attention to your diet, you can navigate the days leading up to your colonoscopy with confidence and ease.
